A group of African trade unions has filed a complaint with the United Nations' Working Group on Business and Human Rights, highlighting the widespread abuse of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. The complaint, spearheaded by the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa), details grave abuses including forced labor, wage theft, physical and psychological mistreatment, and tragic deaths of workers.
The complaint, signed by trade unions from seven countries, including Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, and Nigeria, calls for the abolition of the Kafala system, which binds migrant workers to their employers, and stronger legal protections for migrant workers. The unions also demand the creation of a compensation fund for victims and their families.
The abuse of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia has been well-documented by human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. The exploitation of migrant workers is a pressing issue, with many workers facing forced labor, wage theft, and mistreatment. The African trade unions' complaint is a significant step towards addressing these abuses and promoting better working conditions for migrant workers.